Cops: Suspect shot, home invasion foiled in Upper Darby

Times Staff / ERIC HARTLINE
Police tape hangs around a tree at the corner of the 200 block of Sheffield Rd in Upper Darby.

UPPER DARBY -- Police continue to gather evidence in a home invasion committed late Monday afternoon in the Stonehurst Hills section of the township.

One of the gunmen, 24, of Philadelphia, allegedly shot by the homeowner's son, remains hospitalized in serious condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

He suffered a collapsed lung and lost a kidney as a result of the shooting that occurred at about 5:34 p.m. Monday on the 200 block of Sheffield Road, officials said.

"The only thing that saved his life is the shotgun was loaded with birdshot, not buckshot," police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. "If it was loaded with buckshot, it would have killed him."

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According to Chitwood, the target of the alleged home invasion turned the tables on the intruders almost as soon as they entered the house.

The occupant, 21, wrestled the shotgun out of the hands of one of the three or four men who entered the house.

"As soon as he opened the door one of the men said, 'We're coming in,' and as they walk in, he grabs the shotgun," Chitwood said. "This was a home invasion gone awry. At least three, possibly four men, were at the door of the house. They rang the bell and when the occupant opened the door, they rushed in. The first guy in had a 12-gauge shotgun and the victim struggled with the guy. One shot goes off during the struggle that hit a piece of furniture before he wrestled the shotgun from his hands. He fires the gun and strikes at least one one the men. The others fled, leaving the guy struck by the gun behind. The shooter calls to his mother to call 911."

According to Chitwood, when police responded to a report of shots fired, they arrived to find one man right in front of the house with a gunshot wound.

"When they asked him what happened, he said, 'I've been shot. I'm going to die. Get me to the hospital,'" Chitwood said. "When they asked him who shot him, he pointed to the homeowner's son and he was taken into custody.

"There were a lot of witnesses, six or seven people, who were outside on the block. After the other men got into a white, four-door car to flee, the shooter threw the shotgun into the bushes. Witnesses validated what the shooter told us."

According to Chitwood, the shooter did not know any of the men, described as black males, at his door. His mother and stepfather were home at the time.

"The shooter has some type of recording business and has a significant amount of recording equipment in the basement," Chitwood said. "I guess they figured he was a businessman. One of the witnesses said the shooter punched the guy after he was shot."

Police did not reveal any names because of the status of the investigation.

Anyone with additional information can contact police at 610-734-7684.